Yada Yada-ing Sex

I was relieved the other day when I attended a chat. For once, the family left me alone, and I could chat in peace with a couple of my friends and potential readers.

And then the owner of the chat loop threw out the question: 'How do you keep sex scenes fresh'?

I thought I was about to take some heat for my answer: I was moving away from the 'in-your-face' scenarios and more into the sensual, 'more-left-to-the-imagination' sort. And thankfully, no one yelled at me.

Am I getting tired of Erotica? I like stories with strong plots. I recently read a book by one of my friends, and the premise had appealed to me ever since I found out about it. But halfway into it, I realized I was skipping over the sex scenes. Oh, I eagerly devoured the first two, don't get me wrong. After all, one girl with four guys? YUM! But as I said, I read the build up to the sex scenes, skipped the actual action, and picked it up after the clean-up. I wanted more of what went on outside the bedroom.

In fact, I did this with one of my own stories. When I initially wrote it, I showed everything that went on once my H/h were alone. But when I reread it last year, I decided to cut out several of the scenes, or at least modify them. Surely sex for the sake of sex wasn't needed; after all, when two people in love tuck the kids in at night, there's bound to be some sort of sexual activity, right? But why have a long, drawn out sex scene when you already know what's going to happen? Now I will hint at it, if they choose to enjoy themselves in front of the fire, instead of moving into the bedroom, or even start in one room, only to move into the other.

I seem to do this at least once a year; tire of reading the sex scenes. Give me plot!

Anyone else agree with me? Or am I just strange?

Eye-Roll Moment

Or was this simply a 'blonde moment'?

Opened up my mail a few minutes ago and saw a question which anyone in the industry should know, especially after a year on the chat loops!

'What is a pitch and what is a promo?'

A PROMO is anything which promotes your work: Excerpt, review, interview, new cover.

A PITCH is your posted synopsis/blurb in order to catch a publisher or editor's eye, in hopes they will offer you a contract for said work.

I'll admit, I've been caught asking dumb questions on loops too....but I didn't ask the right questions ahead of time, and mistakes do happen from time to time. But every freaking month??? Give me a break!

Do your homework people!

(rant over....back to work.)

OMG!

Got the shock of my life the other day.

I received a Facebook update in which I had a private message from.......the person who inspired my first book! I nearly fell over while opening it, and again to see he was just curious as to how my life was going. He's happy and accepted my subsequent friend request. He mainly plays games on FB, and hasn't answered my reply, so I guess this means he's not interested in opening up a dialogue. That's fine with me; I had dreamed he'd DIED several years ago, so this set my mind at ease he's doing well, and not demanding any royalties, ha ha!

Have YOU ever suddenly, out of the blue, had a lost love/friend contact you after eleven years of silence? And if so, what was your reaction?

HUH???

Had a WTF moment the other day. I'd seen a submission call for a certain genre which seemed to fit one of my stories. I emailed the owner and asked if I could send it to see if there was a possible 'fit'. She said yes, so I sent it off, along with the information it wasn't ready for publication, but I was currently waiting for a yes/no on the previous book, and if it was given a 'no', I'd send it. I just wanted clarification on the genre, and to see if my stories were in synch with their thinking.

Imagine my shock when three days ago, I received a contract for the work! I wrote back and explained why I was refusing the contract.

Maybe it was my fault; I sent something off with no intention of having it published. But at the same time, what does this say about the quality of work this publisher is accepting? Are they a) so desperate for manuscripts it doesn't matter how bad they are, and are willing to publish anything, or b) they recognize they have something good and don't want it going anywhere else? In this case, I'm so tired of certain shennanigans, I'm going elsewhere with my work. I've been lied to; communication is a bitch unless I throw a fit; and I had lengthy email and phone conversations with two other authors who have already severed ties. I'd really like to get published where my friends are! The chats would definitely be more lively:)

Happy Anniversary....

To my sis and her hubby! They've been married now for 14 years!

Also, 15 years ago today, I learned my soul mate was still interested in me. This didn't change our situation, but just knowing he's out there and we still keep in occasional contact is all I can hope for at the moment. 25 years of friendship, as of March 31st; 24 years of realizing our connection (Labor Day weekend) and now, 15 years of reuniting. God....the stuff of bad novels.

But then again, sometimes Truth is stranger than Fiction...

Am I A Scrooge?

So my book's been published; it's also available on Kindle. My new website has been designed and I'm waiting for the money to pay for my domain name. I thought it was included...NOPE! On top of the $30/month, we now have to pay an additional $15 a year for the domain name.

I got my camera for my birthday; my Colts won their football game; and Fabio won Survivor. Yesterday, we picked up the Angel Tree and Wish Tree gifts for our youngest and discovered someone had also included a $100 bill:) This will go toward my daughter's Confirmation outfit, which a kind soul had donated $75 toward, but the hubby deposited in the bank and used the funds for gas money. I wish he'd keep his damn hands off the donated money!

In good news, Congress signed the bill, reinstating his Unemployment benefits. So now I can hopefully pay my cable bill and keep my internet up and running! And the parts for the dryer should be arriving today. Mom and Dad sent that money on Friday. (Good Lord I feel like a freeloader!)

But here it is, four days before Christmas and I'm fed up with everything. The kids have inhaled the cookies I baked last week; we got socked with an ice storm last Thursday and schools were canceled both Thurs and Friday. I still haven't located anyone who wants my beautiful electric organ, and I DON'T want the simply throw it away!

I should get out today before going to work and pick up something for daughter and oldest son.

Sorry for the downer post; think I'll go whip up some chocolate chip muffins, which were SUPPOSED to be made on Sunday by my hubby!

Sigh....once again, if Mom doesn't do it, it won't get done....

Oh What A Relief...

The book is out; I survived NaNo; and managed not to throttle my editor, nor receive any reprimands from her! I did have one issue which gave me nightmares, and emailed my dilemma to not only my former editor, but a trusted author friend whose been doing this a lot longer than I have!

Author friend agreed with my version.

Former editor made the comment my new editor seemed to be working with a grade 2 editing text book (ouch!). I offered a compromise, and even offered to take the heat if anyone complained about it. She agreed, and the book went into the release queu.

So now it's been out for two weeks; I've ridden the congratulatory wave and been featured on four blogs. I've endured the 'hangover' of adrenaline let-down. I've posted excerpts everywhere, and even emailed my interview to a few people. And sent out my newsletter, and hoping it didn't end up in SPAM folders everywhere.

So now what?

It's one week until my birthday; my other blog has picked up 7 followers, but no one commented on Friday's post. Are people just out shopping and too busy to be online? The chat loops seem to be quiet whenever I pop in, although a few of my posts have generated comments.

Our weather has been frigid, so I've not wanted to leave the house except when I absolutely cannot avoid it. I soooooo want to hop a plane for 50 degree temps or above!

In good news, I only have two more chapters left to edit on Love on the Rocks. This week, I'm going to be busy with cookie baking and preparing for my oldest son's return for the holidays. And trying to figure out a way to keep my internet, phone, and cable on. It's not looking promising.